2009 NFL Draft Report Card-NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1 #31 RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
Round 2 #63 DE Cody Brown, Connecticut
Round 3 #95 S Rashad Johnson, Alabama
Round 4 #131 CB Greg Toler, St. Pauls
Round 5 #167 OL Herman Johnson, LSU
Round 6 #204 DL Will Davis, Illinois
Round 7 #240 RB Larod Stephens-Howling, Pittsburgh
Round 7 #254 G  Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: The Cardinals were surprised to have Chris Wells fall into their lap.  With Edgerrin James recently being released, Wells should get to see plenty of playing time.  Therefore, Wells warrants serious fantasy consideration.  Rashad Johnson will likely be a starter in the secondary on a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense.  Trevor Canfield was a nice find in round seven, and he is talented enough to eventually crack the starting lineup. 

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1 #10 WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Round 3 #75 RB Glen Coffee, Alabama
Round 5 #146 LB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
Round 5 #171 QB Nate Davis, Ball State
Round 6 #184 TE Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
Round 7 #219 S Curtis Taylor, LSU
Round 7 #244 DE Ricky Jeanfrancois, LSU

Overall Grade: A

Fantasy Outlook: San Francisco gets an A just for staying put and watching Michael Crabtree miraculously slip down to them.  Crabtree gives them a much needed playmaker, and he should help improve Frank Gore’s fantasy value. Crabtree warrants strong fantasy consideration himself, especially in keeper leagues.  Nate Davis has all the right tools to become a starting quarterback in the league, but he will likely need a year or two to develop and catch up to the speed of the game. 

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1 #4 LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Round 2 #49 OL Max Unger, Oregon
Round 3 #91 WR Deon Butler, Penn State
Round 6 #178 QB Mike Teel, Rutgers
Round 7 #245 DB Courtney Greene, Rutgers
Round 7 #247 DE Nick Reed, Oregon
Round 7 #248 TE Cameron Morrah, California

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: Seattle snagged the most talented player, regardless of position, in the draft when they took Aaron Curry. Curry should be a perennial all-pro, and he instantly makes the Seahawks have a strong fantasy defense.  Max Unger and Deon Butler will likely both be starters on the offensive side of the ball.  Butler might be worth a look in deep keeper leagues. 

St. Louis Rams

Round 1 #2 OT Jason Smith, Baylor
Round 2 #35 LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Round 3 #66 DB Bradley Fletcher, Iowa
Round 4 #103 DT Dorell Scott, Clemson
Round 5 #160 WR Brooks Foster, North Carolina
Round 6 #196 QB Keith Null, West Texas A&M
Round 7 #211 RB Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: The Rams first two picks were very solid selections.  Jason Smith should have the left tackle position locked down for years to come.  Steven Jackson had an off-year last season, but with Smith opening the holes for him, he should return to the upper echelon fantasy running backs. Bradley Fletcher is a valuable addition as he is able to contribute at cornerback, safety, and special teams.  However, the Rams defense  still does not warrant much fantasy consideration until they prove otherwise.  St. Louis took a flier on Chris Ogbonnaya with their last pick of the draft, which could end up being a brilliant selection if he lives up to his potential.